Tourism

European tourists exceeded 1.3 million persons, which is an increase of 7.9%. This evolution is the result of more French and German visitors, whose number posted an increase of respectively 17.8% and 31.1%.

Meanwhile, the number of Spanish tourists was lower and the decrease was even sharper among English, Italian and American tourists.

Hotel Occupancy

Like arrivals to hotels, nights spent by tourists in various accommodating categories in 1996 increased by 1.5%, with a total of 28,703,206 against 28,266,744 in 1995.

Out of this total, 35.1% nights were spent in graded hotels, which is 10,073,206 against 9,941,390 in 1995, which is an increase of 1.3 %.

Tourism Remittances

Tourism remittances in 1996 were worth 11,789.9 Million DH, increasing by 18.7% in comparison with 1995 (9,928.6 Million DH).

Infrastructure and Investments

By end of 1996, there was a total number 543 graded hotels.

Morocco's accommodation infrastructure was consolidated in 1996 by the launching of 17 hotel projects with a total of 1,512 beds, bringing the total capacity of graded hotels to 92,023 beds.

The total capacity of authorized hotels which received state advantages in 1996 comprises 39 tourism projects. Investments allocated to their constructions are estimated at 1,697 million DH.

In addition, 31 projects for the extension and refurbishment of tourism facilities received the final agreement of the technical coordination committee of tourism projects, for a total investment amount of 561 million DH.

New measures to support tourism were adopted by the authorities. Some hotels were re-graded in the respect of international standards.

In order to improve the competitiveness of enterprises operating in the tourism sector, the VAT applicable to tourism activities was reduced from 14% to 10% starting July 1st, 1996. In addition, laws regulating some tourism-related activities, mainly those regulating the guide profession and travel agencies, were amended.

Lastly, investments in tourism benefit, since the adoption in November 1995 of the investment charter, automatically from the advantages in force, a move likely to promote investments mainly in areas which are still unexploited.

Morocco is a very popular destination for the tourists of the whole world. More than 5 million tourists visited Morocco during the year 2004. The Government strategy aims at reaching 10 million visitors by the year 2010.

The Moroccan National Office of Tourism Website gives detailed information on favourite itineraries. The following formalities are also very important to take into consideration:


Customs

You can temporarily bring to Morocco, without formalities, the majority of your personal businesses in quantities corresponding to a current tourist activity. When in doubt, ask the nearest Moroccan diplomatic representation.
There are regulations on:
- alcohol (1 wine bottle and 1 alcohol bottle or 2 wine bottles by adult) and the tobacco (200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 G of tobacco per adult).
- weapons and the ammunition (50 cartridges per rifle) of hunting. The rifled guns are prohibited.
- the material of catches of sight professional. But not of concern for your stereotypes memories.
We remind to you that it is interdict to import or to export dirhams.

Inoculations

No vaccination certificate is required for visitors coming from Europe or America. An anti-cholera vaccination certificate may be required for visitors coming from areas where this disease is prevalent.
Anti-malarial treatment is not necessary.

Health

Morocco is a healthy country, however a certain number of minimal precautions should be taken, particularly in the south:
-Avoid water from wadis and itinerant water sellers. Refresh yourself with the excellent bottle spring water: Sidi Harazem, Imouzzer and Sidi Ali are still waters, while Oulmes is sparkling. If you are prone to intestinal problems, take an appropriate medicine with you. Make enquiries before swimming in a wadi or a lake.
-Take precautions against insect bites and sunburn. If necessary, tourist offices and major hotels can put you in touch with doctors who speak English, French or other languages.

Electricity

220 volts. Power points are of the French type.

Moroccan National Tourist Offices

Bruxelles :
Avenue Louise 402, 1050
Tel : 322 64 66 320 / 64 68 540
Fax : 322 64 67 376
Email : tourisme.maroc@skynet.be

Dusseldorf :
59 Graf Adolf Strasse, 4000
Tel : 4921 37 05 51
Fax : 4921 37 40 48

Jeddah :
Souk Al Mosadia, Al Madina Road,
PO Box 15216 Jeddah 21444
Tel et fax : 9662 65 13 181

Lisbonne :
12 Rue Artilharia Um, n° 79/85, 1200 Lisbonne
Tel : 3511 38 85 871
Fax : 3511 38 80 077
Email : onmtportugal@hotmail.com

London :
205, Regent Street W1R7DE
Tel : 441 71 43 70 073
Fax : 441 71 73 48 172
Email : mnto@btconnect.com

Madrid :
Ventura Rodriguez, n°/24, 1° EZQ, Madrid 28008
Tel : 3491 54 27 431 / 341 54 12 995
Fax : 3491 55 94 594

Milan :
23, via Larga 20122
Tel : 392 58 30 03 633
Fax : 392 58 30 03 970

Montreal :
Place Montréal Trust, 1800 rue Mc Gill College, suite 2450 Montréal Québec Canada H3A-2A6
Tel : 1514 84 28 111 / 84 28 112
Fax : 1514 84 25 316

New York :
20 East 46th , suite 1201 New York 10017
Tel : 1212 55 72 520
Fax : 1212 94 98 148

Orlando :
Florida 32830 ONMT; PO Box 2263 Lake Buena Vista Florida
Tel : 1407 82 75 335 / 82 75 337
Fax : 1407 82 75 129

Paris :
161, rue St Honoré 75001
Tel : 331 42 60 63 50 / 331 42 60 47 24
Fax : 331 40 15 97 34

Stockholm :
Sturegatan 11 436
Tel : 468 66 19 504
Fax : 468 66 12 044

Sydney :
11, West Street North; Sydney NSW 2060 DX 10641
Tel : 614 18 648 751

Tokyo :
Suite 303 , 2-1-9 SENDAGAYA, SHBUYA-KU, Tokyo 151
Tel : 813 34 03 03 70
Fax : 813 34 03 03 72

Vienne :
Staatliches Marokkanisches Fremdenverkehrsamt Moroccan National Tourist Office Kärntner Ring 17/2/23 1010 Wien
Tel. 43 1 512 53 26
Fax. 43 1 512 39 73
Email : Marokkotourismus@aon.at

Zurich :
Achifflande 5, 8001 Zurich
Tel : 411 25 27 752
Fax : 411 25 11 044


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